Paving machine



Aug. 18, 1959 B. B. PHIIILLIPS ET AL 2,899,877

PAVING MACHINE Filed Sept. 18, 1953 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR! 84 065 5. 24/44/1 5 091 445 .4 JM/TH Aug. 18, 1959 Filed Sept. 18, 1953 B. B. PHlLLlPS ET AL PAVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 1959 I B. B. PHILLIPS ETAL 2,899,877

PAVING MACHINE Filed Sept. 18, 1953 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 B. B. PHILLIPS ET AL 2,899,877

Aug. 18, 1959 PAVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 18, 1953 I Trap/Vii! 1959 B. B. PHILLIPS ET AL 9, 7

PAVING MACHINE IN VEN TOR5 5906: i, PH/AL/Pj 09444;! J, 5/1/77/ United States Patent PAVING MACHINE Bruce B. Phillips and Orville Jackson Smith, San Pablo, Calif., assignors to North Bay Engineering Q'ompany, Richmond, Calif., a copartnership Application September 18, 1953, Serial No. 380,994

7 Claims. (Cl. 94-44) This invention relates to a road surfacing or paving machine and more particularly to certain new and useful improvements in a wheel-mounted paving machine of the type adapted to be towed behind a truck in a position to receive paving material from the truck and to deposit, level and compact such material upon a road bed or surface to be paved.

Paving machines of the above type are not broadly new and various types and styles of machines have been developed and used in the past in which a wheel-mounted material containing hopper is towed behind a truck carrying paving material, the material in the truck being deposited in the hopper which in turn spreads the material on the road surface or bed where it is levelled and compacted by means of a screed plate or the like.

In all of such paving machines known or used heretofore, there have, however, been certain inherent defects and disadvantages to their use which have appreciably detracted from their commercial practicability and general acceptance or use in the paving industry. One of the most important of such defects has been the difiiculty in readily adapting such machines for use with the many and varied types of paving and resurfacing compositions used as paving materials today with the result that such machines are generally designed solely for use with a single type of paving composition, as, for example, for use with a gravel concrete mixture or for use with the socalled black-top materials including asphaltic concrete and similar bituminous compositions.

Another disadvantage of such prior devices is their relative inability to apply a smooth even strip of paving material adjacent to an existing or previously laid strip of pavement, particularly in the case where the road bed slopes or is irregular with respect to the existing pavement, or is at a different level from that of the existing pavement. In such cases, it is usually found that a shoulder is formed between the em'sting pavement and the newly added pavement or that a void is present between the adjacent edges of the same, thus requiring the use of additional labor and equipment to provide a smooth, even road surface safe for the travel of vehicles travelling at high speed.

A still further disadvantage of such prior devices has been the difliculty of accurately adjusting the same to irregularities in the road bed encountered as the machine is towed behind a truck so that unless the road bed over which the pavement is to be laid is absolutely true and level, the irregularities in the road bed will create irregularities in the pavement laid and the pavement will not be uniformly compacted and smoothed.

The above-noted defects of the prior art are remedied in accordance with the present invention wherein certain new and useful improvements are provided in a wheelmounted paving machine of the type described which is readily adapted for use with different types of paving and resurfacing materials, is particularly adapted for use in applying a strip of pavement adjacent to an existing or previously laid strip of pavement to form a smooth ice 2 road surface, and is easily and rapidly adjusted to irregularities in the road bed so as to uniformly compact and smooth the paving material as it is laid.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates the provision in a wheel-mounted paving machine adapted to be towed behind a truck in a position to receive paving material from the truck and to deposit, level and compact such material upon a road bed or surface to be paved, and including a hopper having charging and discharging openings and screed plate hinged at its forward edge to a portion of the hopper adjacent the rearward edge of the discharge opening; a novel means in which a portion of the paving material discharged from the hop-per on the road surface is worked prior to being compacted by the screed plate. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, such means comprises an adjustable grading blade extending transversely across the rearward edge of the discharge opening and angularly mounted with respect to the rear wall of the hopper, the lower edge of the blade being disposed forward of the lower edge portion of the wall of the hopper and the leading edge of the screed plate, respectively, to form a turbulence chamber in which the said portion of the paving material is worked.

The present invention further contemplates providing in a paving machine of the above type a novel wheel supporting means for the hopper, adjustable with respect thereto. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wheel supporting means comprises laterally spaced main wheel assemblies each including an adjustable member pivotally mounted at its forward end on a side wall of the hopper and carrying a main wheel journaled intermediate its ends, and an auxiliary wheel assembly carried by the hopper forwardly of the main wheels. Adjustable operating means are provided including separately adjustable operating connections between the screed plate and the hopper and adaptedto adjust the angle between the screed plate and the rearward Wall portion of the hopper, and between said screed plate and the main wheel supporting members, respectively. The two said adjustable operating connections cooperate through each other and through the screed plate, hopper and supporting members, respectively, to adjust the height of the screed plate and the discharge opening of the hopper with respect to the road surface and to control the pressure exerted by the screed plate on the discharged material to be compacted thereby. The adjustable operating connections between the screed plate and the main wheel supporting assemblies are further separately adjustable with respect to each other and the main wheel supporting members to permit independent adjustment of each main wheel to different eleva tions in the road bed or surface.

The above as well as other novel features of the paving machine according to the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of the paving machine illustrating a portion of a dump truck with which the paving machine is used;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device and dump truck illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed top plan view of the paving machine shown in Figure 2 with a portion of the forward wall of the hopper broken away;

Figure 4 is a detailed end view in elevation of the machine shown in Figure 3 when observed from right to left, showing the main wheels adjusted to the different levels of the road bed and existing pavement, respectively;

.Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section on-the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the main wheels in schematic relation;

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

; Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in section and plan taken on the line 7 7 of Figure 4, looking in thedirection of the arrows and from back to front andshowing the auxiliary towing rod and assemblytherefor used for transporting the machine when not in operation;

Figure 8 is. a fragmentarydetail view in section and elevation taken along line 3- -3 in Figure 3;

Figure 9 is. a view of the fragmentary section and elevation shownin Figure 8, looking fromright to left;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detail view in'section and elevation of one of the adjustableoperating connections andtak'enalong line H ll of Figure 3;

-TFigure-v 11 is a fragmentary viewpart in section of another of the, adjustable operating connections. taken along line 11 41 ,of'Figure 3 and adjusted in a vertical position; and

- Figure 12 is a fragmentary view of the lower portion of the operating connection shown in Figure 11 and looking from left to right.

Referring to the various views shown in the drawings and in'particular to Figures 1 through 6, it will be observed that the paving machine according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a wheelmounted hopper, designated asv a unit as 20, which is adapted to receive paving material through a charging opening, as indicated by the numeral 21, and to deposit the material on a surface to be paved through a discharge opening, indicated by the numeral 22.

The hopper 29 includes side walls 23-23 laterally spaced transversely of the road bed to be surfaced, and .frontand rear walls 24 and 25, respectively. The front 1 wall 24 of the hopper is curved, as shown in Figure 6, downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the rear .wall'25. The upper portion or top of the hopper is open to provide the aforementioned charging opening 21 which, as will be observed from Figure 2, is rectangular in shape and of a width wider than the width of a conventional dump truck body. In Figures 1 and 2 aportion of a dump truck body is indicated bythe numeral 26 and it will be observed that material released. from the. dump truck body 26, as by the openingof a tail gate 27, will fall directly, into the hopper '20 through .the charging opening 21.and will be directeddownwardlyand.rearwardly by the inclined front wall 2 of..the hopper. 20. The bottom of the hopper '20 is open to provide the aforernentioneddischarging opening .22 betweenthe end por- .tions of the ,side walls 23.23 andfrontand rear walls 24 and 25', respectively, and the material placed in the 'hopper 20 flows outwardly therethrough as the paving machine is normally being moved forward or to the right, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Suitable bracing means may be providedfor the'walls of the hopper 20, as, for xampleangle irons, generally designated as 28,

which are secured tothe outer portions .of the upper and .lo wer edges of the side walls 23-23. and. the rear wall 25, respectively, and the verticalbracing members, generally designated as. 29, secured, as shown, adjacent to the side walls 23 23. and spaced therefrom (see. Figure v3) be- ..tween the upper and lower angle irons 28 thereof.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 wheel supporting. means arevprovided for the hopper-20 adapting it to .be towed behind the dump truck 26 in a position, as described a bove to receive paving material from the truck 26 -throughthechargingopening 21, which means comprise a pair of main wheel assemblies generally designated by then-umeral. 3b, laterally spacedon eithersideiof the 'lhopper 2% adjacent the side walls 23thereof, and a forward or auxiliary wheeliassembly, generally designated by the numeralfil 7 Referring first to the main wheel assembly 30, it will be observed that each such assenibly is an angl:e iron 62 which serves both as a'brace'for the l screedplate 12 andas a support for-the adjustable operating connections 36a. :slott eda t its lowe'r endas at 63, and is pivotally secured 75 at its forward end as at 33 onpins 34 rigidly secured to the lower curved portion of the front wall 24 of the hopper 20 as shown in Figure 4. Intermediate the ends of the adjustable member 32 is a rubber tired main wheel 35 which is journalled to the adjustable member 32 by means of an axle 36 (see Figure 3). As noted in Figures 3 and 5, the adjustable member 32 is located between the side wall 23 and the vertical brace 29 which cooperate to form a guide slot for vertical pivotal movement of the member '32 about the pin 34. In order to adjust the pivotal movement of the member 32 to effect a raising or lowering of the wheel 35, the member 32 is extended beyond the rear wall 25 of the hopper 20 in the manner shown and an adjustable operating means, generally designated as 36a and to be described in detail hereinafter, is provided between the end of the member 32 and a horizontal screed plate, referred to broadly by the numeral 37, positioned immediately back of the lower edge ofthe. rear wall 25 of the hopper 20.

Referring now to the auxiliary wheel assembly 31, it will be observed that the assembly is made up, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, of a pair of wheels 38- 38 supported on axles 3939 whichare secured in the manner shown to the outer wall portion of the front wall 24 of the hopper 2G by means of brackets 40. Braces .41 are provided between the brackets dlland the front wall 24 I to maintain the brackets 41? in a rigid position.

Referring again to the screed plate 37, it will be. seen .thatthe same comprises 'a flat rectangular plate 42 which is. horizontallydisposed across the road bed to be surfaced .and is adjustably hinged at its forward edge to a portion ofthe hopper 20 adjacent the rearward edge of the discharge opening 22. As shown in Figures 5, 6 and a 9, the forward edge ofthe screed plate 42 is secured to alternate sections 43a of a segmented pipe, generally designated by the numeral v43, which extends transverselyalong the lower edge of the horizontal flange of the angle iron 28 secured to the lower edge of the rear wall 25. The intermediate sections of pipe 4315 located between the alternate sections 43a are secured to the lower sideeof the horizontal flange of the angle iron 28 and a rockershaft *44is provided through the sections of pipe 43a and 43b to rotatably key the same together. As will be observed from Figures Sand 6, the screed plate .37 serves to compact the paving material deposited through the discharge opening 22 on the road bed to be surfaced as the paving machine is moved forwardor to the right as in Figures 1 and 2.

Adjustable operating means generally designated by the numerals 36a and 36b, respectively, areprovided .threaded telescoping inner and outer members 54 and 55, respectively, which are adjustable in'a-vertical-direction with respect to each other by'rneans of 'a hand crank 56 attached to the upper end of the inner member 54. The upper end of the inner member 54 is'pivotally and rotatablyconnected to aU-shaped bracket 57 secured to the end o'f the rearwardly extending member (see Figure 6),:by means of a sleev'e SS which is carried on the inner member 154 between a pair' of flanges 59 and by meansof bolts 60which are threaded into the "sleeve 58' tl1rough apertures 61 in the bracket 57."Extending transversely across the screed plate'42 The outer member is angle i'rjon'f62 by means of a vertical "member 64, which is welded in the manner shown to the flanges of the angle iron 62, and a pin 65 secured through corresponding apertures in the slotted ends of the outer member 55 and the vertical member. By way of the two jack screws 36b (see Figures 2 and 3) and as is apparent from the foregoing, the angle of the screed plate 37 may be adjusted with respect to the surface of the road bed on which the paving material has been spread by the hopper 2G by adjustment of the jack screws in the vertical direction which will cause the screed plate 37 to be pivoted about the rocker arm 44.

Referring now to the second of the aforesaid operating connections, i.e., 36b, it will be observed (see Figures 11 and 12) that the same are similar in construction to the jack screws described above with the exception that additional telescoping means are provided to elfect a greater adjustment of the jack screw in a vertical direction. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the inner member 66 is threaded and is pivotally and rotatably connected at its upper end between the open end portions of the adjustable member 32 and a bracket 67 (see Figures 3 and 5) by means of the sleeve 68 which is carried on the inner member between a pair of flanges 69 and by means of bolts 70 which are threaded into the sleeve 68 through apertures, not shown, in the end portions of the adjustable member 32 and the bracket 67. The outer member 72 is internally threaded at its upper end as at 73 for engagement with the threaded inner member 66 and is slotted at its bottom end as at 74 to provide a clamp adapted to secure the outer member 72 in telescoping relation with respect to the tubular extension member 75. The bottom of the tubular member is slotted and pivotally mounted on the vertical member 76 welded to the angle iron 62. By way of the two jack screws 36a (see Figures 2 and 3) each of the adjustable members 32 of the main wheel assemblies 30 may be independently adjusted in a vertical direction so as to raise or lower the main wheels 35 corresponding to different elevations in the road bed surface. Such independent operation is of particular advantage where it is desired to lay a strip of pavement adjacent to an existing or previously laid strip of pavement. As shown in Figure 5, the adjustable member 32 of main wheel assembly 30 is so adjusted that the main wheel 35 will ride on the existing pavement 77 whereas the adjustable member 32 of the rear main wheel assembly 30 is so adjusted that the main wheel 35 will ride on the lower level of the road bed surface as indicated at 78. In accordance with these two adjustments, the paving machine may then be towed behind the conventional dump truck, as described hereinbefore, with the lower edge of the far side wall of the hopper positioned slightly above and immediately adjacent to the edge of the existing pavement and, as is apparent, the paving material in the hopper 20 will be deposited through the discharge opening 22 on the surface of the road bed in such a manner as to prevent the forming of a shoulder between the existing and newly laid strip of pavement or the occasioning of a void between the adjacent edges of the two strips of pavement.

In order to readily adapt the paving machine for use with the many and varied types of paving materials used today, and in particular for use with either concretegravel compositions, or the so-called black-top compositions, novel means are provided which first grades the paving material discharged on the surface of the road bed and then works a portion of the graded material prior to the compacting thereof by means of the screed 37. As indicated in Figures 6, 8 and 9, an adjustable grading blade 79 extending transversely along the rearward edge of the discharge opening 22 is angularly mounted in a downward and forward direction to the lower portion of rear wall 25 of the hopper 20 by means of the angle member 80 secured, as shown, to the rear wall 25 and bolts 81. The lower edge 82 of the grading blade 79 extends forward of the leading edge of the screed plate 42 and is adjustable both forwardly and vertically with respect thereto by means of slots 83 which permit the grading blade 79 to be adjusted along the upper flange of the angle member 80. As is apparent from Figures 6 and 8, the lower portion of the grading blade, the lower flange of the angle member 80, and the segmented pipe 43 comprise the front top and rear walls, respectively, of a chamber and it has been found that as the mixture to be laid and compacted moves downwardly through the hopper 20 onto the road surface in front of the grading blade 79 and is leveled to the proper grade by the lower edge 82 of the grading blade 79, a portion of the mixture tends to rise up behind the blade 79 and swirl around in a counter-clockwise direction ahead of the leading edge of the screed plate 42 as the paving machine moves forward or to the right as indicated by the arrow in Figure 8, thus making for better compacting of the material as it passes under the leading edge of the screed plate 42. Moreover, it has also been found that by adjusting the position of the edge 82 of the grading blade 79, the paving machine can be readily adapted for use with either concretegravel compositions or the so-called black-top compo sitions. For example, in the laying of black-top, the lower edge 82 of the grading blade 79 is adjusted to a position only a fraction of an inch above the bottom of the leading edge of the screed plate 42, while in the laying of a crushed rock and cement mixture, the lower edge 82 of the blade 79 is adjusted to a position slightly more than an inch above the bottom of the leading edge of the screed plate 42. When adjusted to either of these positions, the respective paving materials will be uniformly and smoothly compacted by the screed plate.

In addition to the previously described advantages provided in accordance with the novel features of the present invention, a further and equally important advantage is provided by the novel arrangement of the laterally spaced main wheel assemblies 30 and the adjustable screed plate 37 which cooperate through and are separately adjustable by the jack screws 36a and 36b, respectively, to adjust the height of the screed plate 37 and discharge opening 22 of the hopper 20 above the surface of the road bed to be paved and to control the pressure exerted and compacting effected by the screed plate 37 on the discharged material. When the paving machine is placed in operation, the grading blade 79 is adjusted, as described hereinbefore, for the paving material to be used. The jacks 36a are then first separately adjusted to locate the main wheels with respect to lateral differences in the level of the road bed, as, for example, where, as described hereinbefore, the paving machine is to be used to lay a strip of pavement adjacent to an existing or previously laid strip of pavement, and then mutually adjusted to elevate the discharge opening 22 of the hopper 20 and the leading or forward edge screed 37, respectively, to the desired height as to provide the required thickness of paving material on the surface of the road bed which, when compacted by the screed 37 will be flush with the existing or previously laid strip of pavement. Since both the degree to which the material is compacted on the road bed and the thickness of the compacted material will be determined by the longitudinal angle to which the screed plate 42 is deflected in relation to the road bed surface, the jacks 36b are then adjusted to lower the rear edge of the screed plate 42 as required and the jacks 36a mutually adjusted to offset corresponding changes effected, by adjustment of the jacks 36b, in the height of the discharge opening and forwand edge of the screed plate 42 above the road bed. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the thickness of the black top deposited by the hopper, the degree to which the deposited material will be compacted and thickness of the compacted material or pavement can be accurately gauged and maintained by mutual adjustment of dump type material transporting and supply truck 26 (in the position shown and as described hereinbefore) comprising crossed chains 46 which are attached at their forward ends (see Figure 1) tothe frame 47 of the dump truck body 26, as by U-bolts 48 welded or otherwise secured to the frame 47, and at their rearward ends (see Figure 4) to the lower portion of the front wall 24 of the hopper 20, as by U-bolts 49 which are welded to a towing brace 59 secured as shown to the front wall 24. Suitable means, not shown, are provided for readily detachingthe forward ends of the chains 46 from the U- bolts'48, as, for example, snap-type devices or hooks.

Kit is desired that the paving machine be moved to a desirable position whom one location to another prior to its employment in the actual paving operation, it may be conveniently moved by means of an auxiliary towing means comprising a forwardly extending tubular member 51 attached in the manner shown in Figires 6 and 7 to the front wall 24 of the hopper 20, and a rod member 52 having an eye 53 at one end thereof; the other end of the rod member 52 being telescoped in position in the tubular member 51'and prevented from longitudinal separation therewith by means of a bolt 54 which extends through (not shown) located on the rear of the dump truck frame 54 or other suitable towing device. Due to the height of the truck frame above the ground, the paving machine is maintained in a tilted position with the auxiliary wheels 38 free from contact with the ground and, as is apparent, the paving machine may thus be conveniently towed, supported on the rubber tired main wheels 35, by the dump truck to any desired location.

What is claimed is:

1. A paving machine of the class described comprising a hopper having charging and discharging openings adapting it to receive paving material and deposit the same upon a surface to be paved; wheel supporting means for said hopper adapting it to be towed behind a truck in a position to receive paving material from said truck through said charging opening, said means comprising laterally spaced main wheel assemblies each including an adjustable member pivotally mounted at its forward end on a side wall of said hopper and carrying a main wheel journalled intermediate its ends, and an auxiliary wheel assembly carried by said hopper forwardly of said main wheels; a horizontally disposed screed plate adjustably hinged at its forward edge to a portion of said hopper adjacent the rearward edge of said discharge opening for compacting paving material discharged from said hopper; adjustable operating means including first adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said hopper, adapted to adjust the angle between said screed plate and the rearward wall portion of said hopper, and second adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said main-wheel supporting members, respectively,

' said first and second operating connections cooperating material compacted thereby, said second adjustable operating connections being separately adjustable fwith respect to each other and said main-wheel supporting members to permit independent adjustment of said main wheels for dilferent elevations in the road surface; and an adjusjtable grading blade extending transversely across the rearward edge of the discharge opening and angularly mounted with respect to the rear wall of said hopper, the

lower edge of said blade extending forward of the lower -edge portion of the wall of said hopper and the leading edge of said screed plate, respectively, and forming a chamber in which a portion of thepaving material discharged from the hopper on the road surface is worked prior to being compacted by said screed plate.

2. A paving machine of the class described comprising a hopper having charging and discharging "openings adapting it to receive paving'material and deposit'the same upon a surface to be paved; wheel supporting means for said hopper adapting it to be towed behind atruck in a position to receive paving material from said truck through said charging opening, said means comprising laterally spaced main wheel assemblies each including an adjustable member pivotally mounted at its forward end on a side wall of said hopper and carrying a main wheel journalled intermediate its ends, and an'auxiliary wheel assembly carried by said hopper forwardly of said main wheels; a horizontally disposed screed plate adjustably hinged at its forward edge to a portion of said hopper adjacent the rearward edge of said discharge opening for compacting paving material discharged fromsaid hopper;

and adjustable operating means including first adjustable operating connections between said screed plateands'aid hopper, adapted to adjust the angle betweensaid screed plate and rearward wall portion of said hopper, and second adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said main-wheel supporting members, respectively, said first and second operating connections cooperating through said screed plate, hopperand supporting member, respectively, to adjust the height of said screed plate and hopper above the road surface and to control the pressure exerted by said screed plate on the discharged material compacted thereby, said second adjustable operating connections being separately adjustable with respect to each other and said main-wheel supporting members to permit independent adjustment of main wheel assemblies; a horizontally disposed screed plate'jadjustablyhinged at its forward edge toa portion of said hopper adjacent therearward edge of sald discharge opening for compacting paving material dlscharged from said hopper; adjustable operating means including first adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said hopper, adapted to adjust the angle between said 'screedplate and the rearward wall portion of said hopper, and second adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said main wheel assembli'es, respectively, said first and second operating connectionscooperating through said screed plate, hopper and main wheel assemblies of the wheel supporting means,

respectively, to adjust the height of said screedxplate and hopper above the road surface and to control the pressure exerted by said screed plate on the discharged material compacted thereby, said second adjustable operating connections being separately adjustable with respect to each other and said main wheel assemblies to permit independent adjustment of said main wheel assemblies for different elevations in the road surface.

4, A paving machine of the class described comprising a hopper having charging and discharging openings adapting it to receive paving material and deposlt the same upon a surface to be paved; wheel supporting means for said hopper adapting it to be towed behind a truck in a position to receive paving materiahfrom said truck through said charging opening, and including laterally spaced main fa/heel assemblies; a horizontally disposed screed plate adjustably hinged at its forward edge to a portion of said hopper adjacent the rearward edge of said discharge opening for compacting paving material discharged from said hopper; adjustable operating means including first adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said hopper, adapted to adjust the angle between said screed plate and the rearward wall portion of said hopper, and second adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said main wheel assemblies, respectively, said first and second operating connections cooperating through said screed plate, hopper and main wheel assemblies of the wheel supporting means, respectively, to adjust the height of said screed plate and hopper above the road surface and to control the pressure exerted by said screed plate on the discharged material compacted thereby, said second adjustable operating connections being separately adjustable with respect to each other and said main wheel assemblies to permit independent adjustment of said wheel supporting means for different elevations in the road surface; and an adjustable grading blade extending transversely across the rearward edge of the discharge opening and angularly mounted with respect to the rear wall of said hopper, the lower edge of said blade extending forward of the lower edge portion of the wall of said hopper and the leading edge of said screed plate, respectively, and forming a chamber in which a portion of the paving material discharged from the hopper on the road surface is worked prior to being compacted by said screed plate.

5. A paving machine of the class described comprising a hopper having charging and discharging openings adapting it to receive paving material and deposit the same upon a surface to be paved; wheel supporting means for said hopper adapting it to be towed behind a truck in a position to receive paving material from said truck through said charging opening, said means comprising laterally spaced main wheel assemblies each including an adjustable member pivotally mounted at its forward end on a side wall of said hopper and carrying a main wheel journalled intermediate its ends, and an auxiliary wheel assembly carried by said hopper forwardly of said main wheels; a horizontally disposed screed plate adjustably hinged at its forward edge to a portion of said hopper adjacent the rearward edge of said discharge opening for compacting paving material discharged from said hopper; adjustable operating means including separately adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said hopper, and between said screed plate and said main-wheel supporting members, respectively; and an adjustable grading blade extending transversely across the rearward edge of the discharge opening and angularly mounted with respect to the rear wall of said hopper, the lower edge of said blade extending forward of the lower edge portion of the wall of said hopper and the leading edge of said screed plate, respectively, and forming a chamber in which a portion of the paving material discharged from the hopper on the road surface is worked prior to being compacted by said screed plate.

6. In a paving machine of the class described, a hopper having a discharge opening in its bottom; wheel supporting means for said hopper comprising laterally spaced main wheel assemblies each including an adjustable member pivotally mounted at its forward end on a side wall of said hopper and carrying a main wheel journalled intermediate its ends, and an auxiliary wheel assembly carried by said hopper forwardly of said main wheels, a screed plate adjustably hinged at its forward edge to a portion of said hopper adjacent the rearward edge of said discharge opening, adjustable operating means including first adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said hopper, and second adjustable operating connec tions between said screed plate and said main-wheel supporting members, respectively, said first and second operating connections cooperating through said screed plate, hopper and supporting member, respectively, to adjust the height of said screed plate and hopper above the road surface and to control the pressure exerted by said screed plate on the discharged material compacted thereby, said second adjustable operating connections being separately adjustable with respect to each other and said mainwheel supporting members to permit independent adjustment of said main wheels for different elevations in the road surface; and an adjustable grading blade extending transversely across the rearward edge of the discharge opening and angularly mounted with respect to the rear wall of said hopper, the lower edge of said blade extending forward of the lower edge portion of the wall of said hopper and the leading edge of said screed plate, respectively, and forming a chamber in which a portion of the paving material discharged from the hopper on the road surface is worked prior to being compacted by said screed plate.

7. In a paving machine of the class described, a hopper having a discharge opening in its bottom; wheel supporting means for said hopper comprising laterally spaced main wheel assemblies each including an adjustable member pivotally mounted at its forward end on a side wall of said hopper and carrying a main wheel journalled intermediate its ends and an auxiliary wheel assembly carried by said hopper forwardly of said main Wheels, a screed plate adjustably hinged at its forward edge to a portion of said hopper adjacent the rearward edge of said discharge opening; and adjustable operating means including first adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said hopper, adapted to adjust the angle between said screed plate and rearward wall portion of said hopper, and second adjustable operating connections between said screed plate and said main-wheel supporting members, respectively, said first and second operating connections cooperating through said screed plate, hopper and supporting member, respectively, to adjust the height of said screed plate and hopper above the road surface and to control the pressure exerted by said screed plate on the discharged material compacted thereby, said second adjustable operating connections being separately adjustable with respect to each other and said mainwheel supporting members to permit independent adjustment of said main wheels for different elevations in the road surface.

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